High-Throughput Experiments and AI for Advanced Materials Discovery
The Huang Lab at the University of Notre Dame develops high-throughput experimental approaches to accelerate the discovery of advanced materials for clean energy applications, including electrocatalysis, hydrogen production, fuel cells, carbon dioxide conversion, and sustainable chemical synthesis.
Undergraduate researchers will work closely with graduate students, postdocs and the principal investigator to prepare, characterize, and analyze materials using experimental and data-driven methods. Students may participate in catalyst synthesis, high-throughput sample preparation, electrochemical measurements, microscopy, materials characterization, data analysis, and visualization. Depending on their interests and background, students may also contribute to Python programming, machine learning-assisted analysis, automation, or instrument development.
No prior research experience is required. Students who are curious, careful, reliable, and excited to learn modern materials research are encouraged to apply.
The Huang Lab is a new and highly interdisciplinary research group at the University of Notre Dame, focused on accelerating advanced materials discovery through high-throughput experimentation, electrochemistry, materials characterization, and AI-assisted analysis. Because the lab is newly established, students will have the opportunity to help shape a growing research environment and work closely with a new assistant professor, graduate researchers, and other lab members.
Students in the Huang Lab can expect substantial hands-on training, regular mentoring, and frequent research discussions. Undergraduate researchers will have more opportunities for direct feedback, one-on-one meetings, and close involvement in experimental design, data interpretation, and project planning.
This project is important because discovering better materials is essential for clean energy technologies such as hydrogen production, fuel cells, carbon dioxide conversion, and sustainable chemical synthesis. Our broader research program combines catalyst synthesis, nanofabrication, electrochemical testing, microscopy, automation, and data science to understand how material composition and structure control properties. Students will contribute to active projects while developing skills valuable for graduate school, industry, and careers in energy, materials, chemistry, and engineering.